Mountain~ Tadasana

Tadasana is a crucial posture in yoga practice and is the alternative to beginning your practice from a seated posture. In Mountain Pose we are rooted in the Earth, peacefully grounded and balanced on the four corners of our feet, reaching quietly for the Sky.

When you Tadasana the pose strengthens the legs, feet, buttocks, and improves posture and focuses the mind in preparation for your yoga practice.

Type: Standing posture

Benefits: improves posture, opens the chest and heart centre, tones abdominals, buttocks and hips; strengthens the inner thighs, ankles, knees and arches; relieves anxiety, improves focus, willpower and clarity

Drishti: Forward

Technique: Stand with your feet hip width apart, feet parallel, keep your knees and thighs rolled slightly outward, square your hips forward, lift your chest upward slightly, stand tall and lengthen from the top of your neck to your tailbone, slightly tilting the hips forward to ensure proper alignment through the spine, bring your pubic bone toward your spine, engaging the abdominals bring your shoulderblades down your back; keep your arms by your sides, thumbs toward the front of the thighs; relax your throat, tuck the chin ever so slightly toward your throat, gently lengthening the neck, soften your gaze, breathe

Modifications: you may soften your knees if standing straight causes you discomfort, you can also bring your hands to namaste in front of your heart, or if you are very flexible through the shoulders you can hold your hands behind your back in prayer position; the importance of mountain pose is to acheive balanced awareness, so grow into this pose slowly

Contraindications: knee injury

Counterpose: None